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Small business Q&A: Little Haven Style & Gifting Company

Little Haven Style & Gifting Company owned by Jodi Skulsky

Photograph by: Handout
, Vancouver Sun

Little Haven Style & Gifting Company, South Surrey

In business: Launched September, 2010 Number of employees: 1

What do you do?

Little Haven creates unique giftboxes exclusively for babies and children. The gifts are trendy and modern while being environmentally friendly. Nearly all products in our giftboxes are lovingly handmade by artisans and often “mompreneur”-run businesses. Some of the items we use are hand-knit goods (sweater, hat, booties, legwarmers), goats milk soap, fabric loafers, bib & burp pad set, air-purifying plant, soy crayons.

What was your motivation?

After having my daughter, I was frustrated with the existing gift basket market. Baskets were over-the-top childish with animated characters everywhere or they contained mass produced items that lacked uniqueness and sentiment. The excessive and unnecessary packaging was also overwhelming.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you solve it?

The biggest challenge was educating myself on the necessary steps of starting a business, both legally and from a day-to-day operations perspective.

What's the best decision you ever made?

I am so grateful to be doing something that inspires me every day and that I am passionate about.

How has the Internet changed the way you do business?

I believe that in today’s global marketplace it is important for all businesses, even small ones, to have a web presence. So many individuals rely almost exclusively on sourcing and purchasing items from the web at their convenience.

What's your best source for new business?

Word of mouth and referral business is very important to me.

When times are tough, what's the first thing you do?

I find inspiration in reading about individuals who followed their passion, worked hard and are enjoying professional success.

What is one thing you need right now?

More sleep!

Business Name and Location: AstridLily Designs, Vancouver

In Business: 2 years Number of employees: 1

What do I do? AstridLily Designs creates cutting edge jewellery using the finest metals, precious and semi-precious gemstones. This unique line is handcrafted original, elegant, and eclectic gemstone jewelry for women who like to lead in style, not follow. In life I like to be very free spirited and I am passionate about creating looks that reflect that inner essence. I also craft custom pieces for special occasions like weddings and bridesmaid gifts.

What was your motivation? I was in a car accident that left me disabled with a spine injury and unable to continue working at my office job in Commercial Banking. After a bout with depression and feeling completely lost I decided to pull out my jewelry tools and see if I could follow a dream I had let go of years earlier for a stable income. What happened has blown me away, the joy that creating beautiful unique items has brought me is truly amazing and the reaction from people motivates me to push AstridLily Designs to the next level.

Biggest Challenge: My biggest challenge has been believing in myself and really putting my creations out there for all the world to see. The response has been overwhelmingly positive!

Best decision I ever made? The very best decision I ever made was simply following my creative dreams.

How has the internet changed the way I do business? I originally created jewelry and sold at private parties, then when I discovered Etsy I opened an online shop. Having a website is so beneficial to a business, it is a great way to really get the word out.

What is your best source for new business? Definitely word of mouth. My customers are so loyal and they tell all of their friends who then come and check out AstridLily Designs online or at shows and in the stores our jewelry is now found in.

What is the one thing I need right now? I need a studio space! My apartment has become a jewellery store.

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